Canada women’s int’l veteran Chapman retires

Former Canada international Candace Chapman (pictured) retired from football on May 29, 2015. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)

HAMILTON, Canada – Veteran Canada international Candace Chapman announced her retirement from football on Friday and was honored before the women’s national team faced England later in the day at Tim Hortons Field.

The 32-year-old defender, born in Trinidad & Tobago, scored six goals in 114 appearances with Canada. She made her debut at the senior level on March 1, 2002, against Scotland and was a member of the squad that finished runner-up to the United States at the inaugural FIFA U-19 Women’s World Cup (now known as the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup) in 1999.

“It has been an emotional journey to step away from playing the game I love and being around my teammates, past and present, who all have a special place in my heart,” said Chapman. “There are many amazing memories that I will forever cherish.”

She overcame a calf injury to enter as a substitute in the 84th minute of Canada’s win over France in the bronze medal match at the 2012 Olympic Games.

“Throughout that whole Olympic campaign, she was an absolute key player right up until her injury at the Olympics, which was one of the saddest things at that time,” said Canada head coach John Herdman. “For her to come back in the France game and come on the pitch and see the game out for our girls and add what she added to pick up the bronze medal, it was almost the story being concluded at that point. It was just a great journey.”

After that historic victory in Coventry, England, Chapman never again played for the national team.

“Hearing that final whistle blow in the bronze medal match and knowing it might be the last time I represent Canada is among those memorable moments,” said Chapman. “I feel very lucky to continue to be part of Canada Soccer as a youth coach and give back to the game that has given me so much.”

With Canada, Chapman also won the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifying tournament and 2011 Pan American Games, finished as runner-up at the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup (2002, 2006) and the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament (2012), and played in two FIFA Women’s World Cups (2007, 2011) and one other Olympic Games (2008).

At that club level, she competed for numerous teams, including the Atlanta Silverbacks, Vancouver Whitecaps, FC Gold Pride, Western New York Flash and Washington Spirit.